Common Name: Common Loon
Scientific Name: Gavia immer
Scientific Order: Gaviiformes
Scientific Family: Gaviidae
Appearance: The Common Loon is a large, heavy-bodied aquatic bird with large feet and a thick neck (Mass 9 lbs. [ 4.1 kg] , Length 32” [ 80 cm], Wingspan 32" [ 80 cm]). Males larger than females, but similar in plumage. Distinguished in part by their red-brown eyes, steep forehead, and their crown peaked at the front. In breeding plumage, the head and neck are black; vertical white stripes occur on the side of the neck and upper foreneck. They have a checkered black and white back, with a white breast and belly. Subadults and winter plumage includes gray or brown upperparts and a white throat.
Habitat/Where to find: The Common Loon nest on clear lakes with fish, rocky shorelines, indented bays, islands, and surrounded by forest. During migration, they stop on rivers, large lakes, and reservoirs with ample food. Common Loons winter on coastal bays and ocean.
Sounds: Common Loons reserve vocalizations for breeding areas, and mostly call at night. Sounds include a tremolo or "loon laughter" - "hahahahahaha" often given in flight. Other sounds include a ringing "kee-a-ree, kee-a-ree", a rising wail "hoooo-lii"and an undulating "whe-ooo quee". All vocalizations produced by both sexes, except the low, melancholy yodel, which is given by only males to signal territorial ownership - "yodel-ha-oo-oo" "oo-AH-oo".
Reproduction: Common Loons are monogamous, solitary nesters that produce a single brood per year. They breed on clear ponds and lakes, usually placing the nest on a small island. Most nests consist of a wet mass of aquatic vegetation placed at the edge of shallow water and is sometimes concealed. Nest construction continues during incubation, and often the nest is used perennially. Both sexes incubate a typical clutch size of two eggs for 26-31 days. The eggs hatch asynchronously and the young downy chicks ride on the back of the swimming adults.
Food Habits: Common Loons consume mostly fish but also a wide variety of aquatic foods including insects, crustaceans, amphipods, snails, leeches, frogs, and salamanders. Their prey are chased and swallowed under water. Common Loons are capable of diving up to 200 ft and can stay underwater up to 60 seconds.
Behavior: Common Loons appear to ride low in the water when swimming. Except to nest, they rarely venture onto land, even sleeping on the water. Wintering birds gather in "rafts" at night, but defend feeding territories during the day. In order to attain flight, these heavy birds must run at least 20 yards across the water in order to gain sufficient momentum. Once in flight, they appear heavy and gooselike.Vital Statistics: Very few vital statistics exist for the Common Loon. The oldest confirmed individual lived almost 8 years, but they are thought to live 25-30 years. There is also no data on the age of first breeding, but it is believed to be no earlier than 4 years old, and perhaps as late as 7 years of age.
Migration/Dispersal: In general the Common Loon breeds on lakes and ponds north of the U.S. – Canada border, and winters along both coasts of North America. Some populations breed as far south as far south as northern California, Montana, the Great Lakes and New England. They travel alone or in small flocks during migration along paths that may be coastal or overland. The Common Loon winters along west coast from Aleutian Islands south to Baja California, and the Gulf of California. On the east, they winter along the east coast from Newfoundland south to Florida, as well as along the gulf coast.
